Find Relief for Persistent Back Pains with Physical Therapy!
Did you know that approximately 80 percent of Americans have experienced (or will experience) back pain? That’s an unfortunate statistic, especially if you’re already one of those people living with back pain. Chronic back pain can prevent you from performing many of the daily tasks that you need or want to perform.
While many people turn to pain management drugs for relief, they can do no more than provide temporary relief. Additionally, a surgical procedure can correct an issue but can lead to a lengthy recovery period. Instead, it’s a great idea to turn to physical therapy first, as a natural way to relieve those pains in your back.
What can I expect from physical therapy treatments for back pains?
Instead of numbing yourself with drugs or risking major surgery, give physical therapy a chance to relieve your chronic back pain in a safe, natural way.
According to SpineUniverse, “Physical therapy often plays a major role in… recovery. Its methods not only offer immediate pain relief, but they also teach you how to condition your body to prevent further injury.” In fact, physical therapy is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the “first lines” of treatment for most types of chronic pain.
Our physical therapist will first take the time to examine your back, analyze your symptoms, evaluate your medical history, and talk to you about your pain management goals.
This information enables the physical therapist to devise a comprehensive physical therapy plan just for you. Here are some ways you can benefit from such a plan:
- Mindfulness practices and other techniques can help you reduce anxiety and other reactions to pain that might make the pain worse, helping you control your pain responses for the better.
- Our physical therapist can recommend specific lifestyle modifications to help you ease stress on your back and avoid future back problems.
- Laser therapy, massage therapy, and heat or cold treatments can reduce chronic inflammation and relax painful muscle spasms in your back.
- Strengthening exercises can give weak back muscles the reinforcement they need to hold your back straighter and with less fatigue.
- Stretching exercises can help you increase your range of motion, allowing you to do more with less back pain.
Why you should consider physical therapy before drugs or surgical procedures
Back pain can be either acute or chronic in nature. Acute back pain often occurs as the direct result of torn muscles or other sudden, intense damage. But as agonizing as cute back pain may be, at least you have the comfort of knowing that your pain will probably subside as the injury heals.
Chronic back offers no such comfort. By definition, any kind of chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months, either attacking you in bouts or plaguing you with constant discomfort. The underlying cause is often progressive and/or irreversible.
Common causes of chronic back pain include:
- An old back injury that failed to heal properly, leaving you with internal scarring and chronic stiffness
- A narrowing of the spinal canal known as spinal stenosis
- Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis of the spine
- Chronic muscle strain from an unbalanced posture or weak back muscles
- Bulging or herniated discs
Drugs can relieve chronic back pain, but only imperfectly. After a few hours of lessened symptoms, you have to take another dosage, and then another. If you’re using opioids to dull your pain, you can end up in a frightening cycle of increased tolerance and addiction.
The most extreme form of treatment, spinal surgery, can permanently limit your back’s flexibility. You might even end up with an even more painful problem known as failed back surgery syndrome.
Relieve your back pains with physical therapy today!
You have the power to control your chronic back pain, starting with the decision to find treatment for yourself with physical therapy.
Please contact Spectrum Therapy Consultants today to schedule your initial consultation and get started on the first steps toward relief!
Sources:
- https://williamsonsource.com/5-ways-physical-therapy-can-help-with-lower-back-pain/
- https://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/2019/5/Feature/ChronicPain/
- https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/back-pain/physical-therapy-relieve-back-pain
- https://ppsapta.org/marketing/blog/browse.cfm?recID=377104BB-5056-A04E-37A935F4A2208A1E
- https://www.spine-health.com/glossary/chronic-pain
- https://www.neuromodulation.com/failed-back-surgery-syndrome-definition
- https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/herniated-disc/physical-therapy-herniated-discs
